Scrap Metal Recycling 101: The Ultimate Starter Guide to Selling Scrap Metals
Posted on: 21 April 2020
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New metal manufactured products are revered for their great strength and excellent durability, but like non-metal products, they have a limited lifespan. Unfortunately, metal material can end up in the landfill because of a lack of basic knowledge of its recycling potential.
Scrap metal recycling is a great way to turn waste into useable material. This helps to avoid the high economic and environmental costs that could have been incurred from mining and metal manufacturing operations.
If you're new to the scrapping world but you're willing to learn the ropes, this guide can help. Here's what to know before you can venture into making money from selling scrap metals.
Not All Metals Are Created Equal
This might sound a tad too obvious but it can never be overstated. Steel, aluminium, copper, brass, iron, zinc and more are some of the recyclable metals out there, and each has its own value. When you're collecting scrap metal for resale, you should always keep this important detail in mind. Scrap metal typically comprises a mixture of metals coming from different places, including businesses and industries.
All scrap metal materials fall into two categories: ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Having no iron content, non-ferrous metals provide superior resistance to rust and corrosion than ferrous metals, which contain iron. Plus, these metals are easier to work with due to their high malleability. If you want to make the most money from selling scrap metal, go for non-ferrous metals because they attract a higher price on the scrap metal market. The biggest drawback is that these metals are often harder to find than their ferrous cousins.
Expect to Get Paid per Kilo of Scrap Metal Collected
How do scrap metal recyclers determine how much to pay for your scrap metal? When you deliver your consignment to a scrap metal recycling centre, the load will be sorted to separate the different types of metals. Each metal material is then weighed to determine how many kilos of that particular metal you have.
You'll be paid based on the current market price per kilo for each metal you've collected. If you feel that the price offered is too low, you can always try your luck with another metal recycler.
Selling scrap metal is a great way to extend the lifespan of unwanted or end-of-life metal products while getting some money into your wallet. Contact a scrap metal recycler near you for more information.